Russian President, Vladimir Putin has described as “senseless” the move led by the United Nation and U.S. to slam more intense sanctions on North Korea, stating that it would not deter the North from continuing with its nuclear programme.

The Russian leader spoke at the meeting of the Brics group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in Xiamen, China.

Although he condemned the North’s test as “provocative”, his lack of support for more sanctions against the North was obvious.

He said: “Sanctions of any kind would now be useless and ineffective. They’d rather eat grass than abandon their [nuclear weapons] programme unless they feel secure.

“And what can establish security? The restoration of international law. We should promote dialogue among all interested parties.”

Citing a “humanitarian aspect”, Mr. Putin said millions of people would suffer under tougher measures, adding that “Sanctions have been exhausted.”

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that North Korea’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Han Tae-song, said his country’s recent “self-defence measures” were a “gift package addressed to the U.S.”

“The U.S. will receive more gift packages from my country as long as it relies on reckless provocations and futile attempts to put pressure on the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea),” he said.